The Good Little Devil

by Ann Lawrence, Ionicus (Illustrator)

Brother John, the Cellarer, was sure they were bewitched. At first he had blamed Wilfred, the livelier of the two resident Abby choirboys and the one, moreover, acting assistant, but events proved that Wilfred was not to blame. To suspect the prim and the pious Gosvin was as unlikely as to suspect one of the brothers. But someone or something has flooded the cellar on three successive nights...

149 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Ann (Margaret) Lawrence was born in England in 1942. She wrote more than fifteen highly original fantasy novels and collections of stories for children, including The Hawk of May, which was highly commended for the Guardian Award.

Since her tragically early death in 1987 her work has continued to gain in reputation and has been published in the USA, Germany, Sweden and Japan.

Reviews

[Louise Culmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing story set in a medieval abbey. Wilfred, one of the two resident choirboys at the abbey, is blamed when the abbey cellar is flooeded three nights in a row, but eventually it is discovered to be another culprit, a mysterious little creature who, the monks decide, is a devil. Having caught their little devil, they decide to keep him, and see if they can reform him. Named Thingummy, he is dressed in a novice's robe and encouraged to adapt to abbey life. Complicatione naturally arise from having a supposed devil resident in the abbey, especially as Gosvin, the other choirboy, is enjoying picking on the hapleess little devil. Wilfrid is not convinced that the odd little creature is a devil at all, and strange things continue to happen, creating confusion all round.

This is an entertaining and humorous story which should appeal to those who like light hearted fantasy with likeable characters.